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Medication Use and Sexual Function: A Population-Based Study in Middle Aged Women
Anna Valéria Gueldini de Moraes1, Ana Lúcia Ribeiro Valadares1, Jeffrey Frederico Lui Filho1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
|July 22, 2019
Summary
Medications for chronic diseases may impact specific aspects of sexual function in middle-aged women, though not overall sexual dysfunction. Untreated anxiety was a key factor, while hormone therapy showed protective effects against low libido.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive medicine
- Pharmacology
- Public health
Background:
- Chronic disease medications improve longevity but can affect sexual function.
- Understanding medication side effects on sexual health is crucial for patient well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between chronic disease medication use and sexual dysfunction in Brazilian women aged 45-60.
- To identify specific medications impacting different domains of female sexual function.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional, population-based survey of 749 women.
- Sexual function assessed using the Short Personal Experiences Questionnaire (SPEQ).
- Poisson regression analysis to determine associations between medication use and sexual function domains.
Main Results:
- No overall association found between medication use and the SPEQ score; untreated anxiety was a significant factor.
- Antihypertensives linked to lower desire; antidepressants, osteoarticular, and polypharmacy linked to lower arousal, satisfaction, and orgasm.
- Hormone therapy demonstrated a protective effect against reduced libido.
Conclusions:
- While some medications may negatively impact specific sexual function domains, untreated anxiety is a primary concern.
- Clinicians should consider potential sexual side effects when prescribing for chronic conditions.
- Hormone therapy may mitigate loss of libido in this demographic.
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